Robert wilcox



3 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. WILOOX.

CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS. No. 251,753. Patented Jan. 3,1882.

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R. WILGOX CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS.

Patented Jan. 3,1882.

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WITNESSES:

ATTYE I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. R. WI-LCOX.

, "GONSTRUGTION'OF SHIPS. No. 251,753. Patented Jan. 3,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RoRERT WILCOX, OF 55 eERTRUoE sTREET, FITZROY, NEAR MELBOURNE,

VICTORIA.

CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.251,753, dated January 3, 1882.

Application'filed August 20, 1879. I

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ROBERT \VILCOX, ot'No. 55 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy,near Melbourne, in the British Colony of Victoria, have invented new anduseful Improvementsin Steam- Vessels, which improvements are fully setforth in the following specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention consists, mainly, first, in a special form of hull, and,second, in the combination, with the hull, of special propelling andsteering mechanism, as will be fully described hereinafter. In thedrawings, Figure 1 represents a side I5 elevation of a steam-vesselhaving my improvements applied thereto; Figs. 2 and 3, bottom and topplan views of the same; Fig. 4,

a side elevation, partially in section; and Figs,

5, 6, 7, and 8, transverse sectional elevations. To enable othersskilled in the art to make my improved steam-vesscl, I will proceed todescribe the same fully.

A, Fig. 2, represents the framing of the vessel, to which is stronglysecured upon each 5 side two semi-cigar-shaped sections,a (I, placed onebefore the other, as shown.

(0 represents a central space which extends the entire length of thevessel.

B represents propelling mechanism located 3 in the central'space, and GG the rudders of a proper steering mechanism, which rudders are locatedon the quarter of the vessel instead of the ends.

By means of the special construction of the hull certain advantages areobtained. The 5 surface-friction is not large, while the buoyancy isvery great. The second hulls have the advantageot' entering on movingwater, so that the proportional resistance of the latter part of thehull is not so great. By means of 4,0 the pcculiarform, also, broadsidewaves are permitted to pass more readily under the vessel. By means ofthis combination of hull and propelling and steering mechanism thevessel is adaptedto move with equal facility in either direction.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

. 1. In a steam-vessel, the combination of the following elements:first, a. hull having a central space extending the entire length ot'thevessel; second, central propelling mechanism located in the centralpace, and, third, the steeringmechanism,substantiallyasdescribed,located on thequarter, the construction being such that the vessel mayrun with equal facility in either direction. I

2. A hull having on each side two sections of semicigar shape placed endto end. and a continuous central space extending the entiie length ofthe hul'.

ROBERT WILCOX.

Witnesses:

EDWD. WATERS, W. S. BAYSTON.

